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A few months back I was bitching about how shitty Chicago was for songwriters. Like where are they? Where are the showcases and what’s the deal. Seems like everything in this town is a cover band. or the songwriting or writers I run into are so FOLKY that even I don’t wanna hang around and listen. Hell I don’t know. Don’t get me wrong, there are some great players and writers here but where are all the venues that put on the songwriter shows? Lagunitas is doing a thing now which is great to see. I know Fitzgeralds has some regular things happening, but what about the small clubs and local bars? Seems like all you ever find are cover bands or tribute bands, or bad blues bands. ughhh. Where are the listeners and the listening rooms? I was about three beers in when a songwriting friend of mine Richard Pryzdia mentioned that he had been heading to Michigan to this little theater called the Acorn to do a songwriter open mic thing they have monthly. He said to call ahead to get on the list since it sometimes is filled months in advance.

Hummm…I said shit, I should check that out some time.
The next day in the ol’ cube farm I thought “Hey, you should email the Acorn Theatre and see if you can get on the list”. I’ll continue this story in the coming days and tell you more about the scene up there and how I met the next big thing…..(Lil’ Meg Robinson). For now here are the two songs I played. First time out publicly with “Start All Over Again” and a decent version of Baltimore.

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I am happy to announce that I am putting a band together and picking up dates again.

Since the kids were born I have been for the most part playing only solo shows. after playing the Blue Island Beer Co. with the Bertoletti Family Band’s rhythm section (sister-in-law Susan Bertoletti on drums and Greg “the Eggman” Marvola on base) I realized just how much I miss having a backing band. Having been offered Saturday night residency gig there starting in March also made me realize that it’s time to get a band back together.

Though my wonderful wife Sheila will not (at least at this point) be a regular member like she was in the days of our Additives band; she did say that she would like to join the band on some accordion from time to time. I imagine and hope as the kids get a bit older we’ll see her again killing the piano and organ like she is known to do.

I have decided to seek new players that I have not worked with in the past. The past players involved with The Additives are great people and wonderful players. I decided to find the right players for the type of things I’m writing now. Since recording the last two records with Bloomington Indiana’s 220 Breakers as the backing band, it’s been hard to find that type sound back here in Chicago.

I’ll announce the new lineup soon, but for now know that I am putting together some real special pieces together for this one. Yes I have some new songs and yes there will be another record recorded this year. I will also be releasing the six song EP we tracked this time last year with the 220 Breakers.

I don’t know what the name of the band will be. It may be Joe Rian’s Additives or The Additives, or Joe Rian’s Band of fartblossums… hell at this point I don’t know. The important thing is that in the next month or so you’ll see me with a new cast of characters making (not playing) music. See you out there.